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slnewman89's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 I read this as a recommendation from a librarian. I was interested in a good character novel by an international author. I did like the characters in this, but I found certain aspects of the plotline didn't circle back as I had hoped and other aspects related to storyline could have been developed more.
readwithkapz's review against another edition
3.0
‘Black Moses’ by Alain Mabanckou
Book review:
‘Black Moses’ is a fictional novel which centres around Moses, a young Congolese boy who grows up in an orphanage in Loango.
The backdrop of the novel takes place in the People’s Republic of Congo during the 1970s, during the Marxist-Leninist revolution.
Having read the blurb, initially I thought this novel would be an interesting read. But upon reflection, I feel very frustrated with it.
There were elements of the novel which showed promise. I was often intrigued by insights into the histories of Congo Brazzaville and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, I struggled to connect with the novel and often felt disengaged. There were often sections of unnecessary dialogue and pointless jargon. The plot was ‘comme ci, comme ça’, with the structure of the novel very frustrating.
It’s not a bad book. But it’s far from a good book.
It had promise, but failed to deliver sadly.
Book review:
‘Black Moses’ is a fictional novel which centres around Moses, a young Congolese boy who grows up in an orphanage in Loango.
The backdrop of the novel takes place in the People’s Republic of Congo during the 1970s, during the Marxist-Leninist revolution.
Having read the blurb, initially I thought this novel would be an interesting read. But upon reflection, I feel very frustrated with it.
There were elements of the novel which showed promise. I was often intrigued by insights into the histories of Congo Brazzaville and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, I struggled to connect with the novel and often felt disengaged. There were often sections of unnecessary dialogue and pointless jargon. The plot was ‘comme ci, comme ça’, with the structure of the novel very frustrating.
It’s not a bad book. But it’s far from a good book.
It had promise, but failed to deliver sadly.
pearloz's review against another edition
4.0
Solid book about growing up in a Congolese orphanage. First third of the novel concerns Moses and his day to day; second third is about Moses after he and the twins escape, and his relationship with the women in brothel (mostly maternal); the final third of the novel concerns Moses's deteriorating mental health due to malnutrition. I wish the book, rather than going into that final third, had expanded the first two sections because they were so rich and illuminating and interesting, and the last part of the book...wasn't.
manaledi's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the historical/cultural perspective on the Congo, which was powerful without being overwhelming. Parts of the story were really interesting and powerful and parts just dragged. An interesting cast of characters.
florismeertens's review against another edition
Heerlijke schrijfstijl, deed me in zijn humor een beetje denken aan Yu Hua. Het boek neemt rare wendingen en is daardoor niet helemaal meeslepend, maar ik had zo nog 400 pagina's over het weeshuis kunnen lezen.
hanntastic's review against another edition
4.0
Global Read Challenge 72: Republic of the Congo
This was a quick well written book and I would definitely read something else by Mabanckou. However, like a lot of reviewers I found the last third of the book to be tacked on and unsatisfactory. Without being spoilery, there was a lot that didn't make sense. The book is still worth reading though.
This was a quick well written book and I would definitely read something else by Mabanckou. However, like a lot of reviewers I found the last third of the book to be tacked on and unsatisfactory. Without being spoilery, there was a lot that didn't make sense. The book is still worth reading though.
elemmakil's review against another edition
2.0
Tuskinpa olisin lukenut loppuun asti, jollei kirja olisi ollut niin lyhyt. Kerronta oli jotenkin puisevaa, mukana oli liikaa tietoiskumaista historiallisten tapahtumien selitystä. Vasta loppupuolella tarina sai vähän tulta alleen vain latistuakseen uudestaan hyvin pian.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Achei o final deprimente, embora eu consiga ver algum sentido nisso. É uma narrativa de muita solidão e muitas perdas.
soniek's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0